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A LIFE of enduring worship is a culture of reverence and openness to God by default. David lived such a life. The Narrative HIS LIFE was an adventure fraught with adversity and intrigue—and marked with loss and disappointment. When the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, God used David to harm them by taking a census—and he instructed his chief of staff to count the people. "May the Lord your God let you live to see a hundred times as many people as there are now! But why, my lord the king, do you want to do this?" (2 Samuel 24:3) But the king insisted that they take the census—and Joab and the commanders went out to count the people. After they had done this, David's conscience bothered him. He knew that he had sinned and asked God for forgiveness. (2 Samuel 24:10) When your conscience bothers you, what do you do? THIS CENSUS was a sin because Israel had just defeated the Philistines, and counting his soldiers was probably associated with pride and self-reliance. It seems that he wanted to increase his royal might that contrasted with reliance on God. Are you needy of God? If you are in the kingdom, you know how needy you are—and dependent on grace. Whenever you are the hero of your story, you have no place in Christ, and you will never be needy of Him. In this difficult times, may God see our pain and stop the plague Understand the Mercy of God WITHOUT THE MERCY of God, you cannot live a life of enduring worship. God gave David three choices—do you want to have seven years of famine in the land? Would you rather be on the run from your enemies for three months? Or shall a plague rage for three days through the land? (2 Samuel 24:13) He understood the mercy of God and chose to fall into His hands. And God sent an epidemic the following morning. It swept through Israel, killing 70,000 people. But when the angel of God reached out to destroy Jerusalem, God felt the pain and told him to pull back. In this difficult time, may God see our pain and stop this plague. Learn to take Ownership WHEN DAVID looked up and saw the angel, he and the elders bowed their heads in prayer and covered themselves. "I am the one who sinned: I the shepherd did the wrong. But these sheep, what did they do wrong? Punish me and my family, not them," said David. (2 Samuel 24:17) David took responsibility for doing wrong. Every adversity you face should deepen your spiritual quest. Seek Counsel THAT VERY DAY, David's seer told him to go and build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David went there and humbled himself before the mighty hand of God. And when Araunah saw him, he asked, "Why has my master the king come to see me?" To buy your threshing floor so that I can build an altar to the Lord and put an end to this disaster. And he offered the king his land for free. "No. I've got to buy it from you for a good price; I'm not going to offer God, my God, sacrifices that are no sacrifice," replied David. (2 Samuel 24:24) He bought the land and the ox. David built an altar and sacrificed peace and burnt offerings. God heard his prayers and stopped the plague. You cannot be a man of enduring worship without making sacrifices. I PRAY that this year, your worship of Him will take a turn for the better, and His presence will be more real to you. BRINGING IT TOGETHER WE CANNOT LOWER God's standards and please Him or bend his rules and assume that we are walking in obedience. We make the mistake of watering down the church's integrity, and we think that things will change for the better. God isn't interested in our sense of duty, but our hearts drawn to him. And here's how to get dressed before Him—be ye holy as your Heavenly Father is holy.

EVERY YEAR, people change cities. They move to greener pastures: adequate welfare, accessibility to healthcare, jobs, and distance from natural disasters. Some visit and never leave; others fall in love and move to start a new life. God did something, when he fell in love with humanity, he sent His Son. (John 3:16) The Narrative JESUS HAD been preaching all day—and when he entered a house, his disciples came to him. “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” And he said, “The one who sows the good seed is the son of man.” The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the Kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil ones—and the one who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. At the close of the age, I will send my angels to gather out all causes of sin and all breakers and throw them into the fiery furnace. And the righteous will shine in the Kingdom of their Father. (Matthew 13:36-43) Myth versus Fact THE MOST OFFENSIVE doctrine of the Christian faith is hell. Many people feel such a fair God will not send anyone there, and that is untrue. He’s done it before. God wiped out Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 19:25) Others feel that the duration in hell is a season—but the bible talks about eternal destruction. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) How did we get here? WHEN YOU WAKE up to the sound of a fire alarm, you do not rip off the battery to shut it off and go back to sleep. You investigate what triggered it. It’s called a smoke detector for a reason. The human conscience is like a smoke detector. And when we sin, it pricks us. In the Garden of Eden, Adam hid when he heard the voice of God. (Genesis 3:10) He knew that he had sinned. The sin of Adam was imputed to us. We were born into it. We came out wearing Adam’s jersey. The Bridge is Out FROM THE MOMENT, he started his ministry; Jesus lived in the shadow of the cross. He was consumed by it, and he set his eyes on it. When Jesus went to the cross, it was a symbol of shame. But today, the cross is a fashion statement—people wear it as necklaces. Jesus bled that we might live. A Ransom GOD LOOKED at us and saw that we were hopeless; he also knew that we were helpless. He cancelled out your sin debt by allowing his blood to be shed at Cavalry. There’s no such thing that God wants to throw anyone into hell—but there’s only one God who wants to save all. If not, he wouldn’t give His Son as a ransom. God made him who knew no sin to become sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21) The ability to acknowledge your wrong gives you the chance to ask for forgiveness of sins. God wants you to confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you. Also, invite him to become your lord and saviour. Bringing it Together GOD ENTERED a polling booth and elected us. He chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world. (Ephesians 1:4) As an accountant, God opened his ledger and put money on our credit. And he performed a surgical procedure on us—for the heart of stone, he gave us the heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26) The nerve of urgency must not be cut. Love constrains you to do something! Happy Palm Sunday.

MANY PEOPLE are not interested in the amount of work that you have put into anything—they are only intrigued by the finished work. But God is interested in both—the outcome and the Process. He (Jesus) saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him (process). Now he holds the honoured position (outcome)—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. (Hebrews 12:2) The Narrative IN THE DAYS OF JESUS, popularity was a dangerous thing, especially in the land occupied by the Roman soldiers. And as his fame grew, people feared for his life. When his mother and brothers came for him, he said, "You, here, are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does the will of God is My true family." (Mark 3:35) While Jesus shared the stories of the Kingdom in parables, he explained them to his disciples. And in the evening, he said to them, "Let us go over to the other side." (Mark 4:35) They got into a boat and left the crowd behind. Sweet Sleep JESUS WAS EXHAUSTED; not long after, he fell asleep. (Luke 2:23) As they sailed, a massive storm came upon the sea. Water began to fill their boat. He was so tired that the storms did not wake him up. (Mark 4:37-38) Jesus laid down in peace, and his sleep was sweet. (Proverbs 3:24; Psalm 4:8) It's A Battle THE DISCIPLES were concerned about the boisterous wind. They ran to Jesus and said, "Don't you care that we are going to die?" (Mark 4:38) Jesus got up and rebuked the wind. The storm stopped, and everything was calm. "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" said Jesus. (Mark 4:40) They did not realize that Jesus doesn't take people to the middle of the sea and leave them there. His destination was the other side—there was a man there waiting to be set free. (Mark 5:1-6) They walked with Jesus, yet they had problems with their faith. And if they had problems with their faith, we are not exempted. Jesus reprimanded them for it; we also need to make amends. Jesus rescued them from the storm, and he can save you from your everyday storm. (1 Corinthians 15:55) Be mindful of the Process WITHOUT A RIGHT PROCESS, there cannot be the desired outcome. Focussing on the Process gives you the right perspective. Storms are difficulties that make us question God—they are challenges that make us feel like God is asleep—but he isn't. When you speak to your circumstance in the name of Jesus, you use your authority in Christ. (Luke 10:19) Jesus was mindful of the Process. When he rebuked the wind, he brought God's reality to them. He brought order to the chaos of their lives. And they were scared that the elements obeyed his voice. They realized who was in their boat. The storm is where you meet with God BRINGING IT TOGETHER BEFORE THEY LEFT for the other side, he knew that the storm was coming. But Jesus got into the boat with them. Providence teaches that God uses all your life experiences to His glory. Whatever your situation, there's a purpose for it. The storm isn't where you fight your enemy; it is where you meet with God.

HENRY FORD UNDERSTOOD THE TIMES HE LIVED IN. He recast a motor assembly line to make his cars affordable to the average family. In his day, he completely transformed the nation’s way of life. He was born to a family of farmers in 1863. From a young age, Henry showed the aptitude for making machines that helped with farm work. At sixteen, he left Dearborn, Michigan for Detroit to work where he found a position as a mechanic’s apprentice. Henry Ford later married Clara Bryant who encouraged him to build a horseless carriage. Once he said, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” But he made cars. At thirty-six, he left Edison Illuminating Company to join the Detroit Automobile Company. He was ousted when the company didn’t produce any car. However, he continued to pursue his dream. Finally, Henry Ford sold his first car in 1908. He understood the times. The Narrative DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS OF SAUL, David could not move freely in Israel because King Saul sought to kill him. Many men of war came to Ziklag to join him. Men from the tribe of Benjamin also came to him, and he made them officers of his troop. After the death of Saul, eighteen thousand men from the tribe of Manasseh came to make him king. But among these people were the men of Issachar. The Bible describes them as “men who had an understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 Chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.” (1 Chronicles 12:32) Unique Qualities EVERY DISPENSATION HAS ITS UNIQUE CHALLENGES, but those who understand the times will make a difference. The sons of Issachar understood the times. They knew the culture, and the atmosphere they lived in. How do we understand the times? TRUE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES COMES FROM THE FEAR OF GOD. When we surrender our lives to the Lord, we begin to gain a better understanding of the times – our lives and the world around us. WALK IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD. As we do this, we start to discern from His viewpoint. Over time, we learn to separate our understanding from God’s perspective. ASK IN PRAYER. The Lord wants us to ask Him about the times we live in. “We do not have because we do not ask.” (James 4:2) God wants us to ask Him about the times we live in However, most times, God works with events happening around us. So, when next something happens to you, pray for insight. Wisdom for the Moment THE SONS OF ISSACHAR KNEW WHAT TO DO. They did not only have the knowledge, but they also possessed wisdom – the ability to use God’s truth correctly. It’s crucial to understand the scriptures but very essential to know how to apply God’s Word to the current issues of our time. Their teachers had done a great job - teaching and mentoring them. The sons of Issachar spoke with one voice. If the Church wants to make a change in our day, it must learn to walk in unity and speak with one voice. We need leaders who will teach and mentor others to prepare them for the challenges ahead. Act Now THEY HAD AN INSIGHT AND ACTED WITH PRUDENCE. The sons of Issachar did not only have the facts; they had done a skillful analysis of the times. They had seen that Saul wasn’t a good King, and it was time for a meaningful change. They had an insight and acted with prudence They knew that they lived in turbulent times. David had emerged as a real leader. He had been appointed by God. (1 Samuel 16:12-13) David also had the abilities needed to lead Israel. In the time of King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel and his friends refused to take food from the king’s portion because they were offered to idols. (Daniel 1:11-16) The four chose to walk in obedience. “God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (Daniel 1:17) These abilities set them apart and gave them leverage in Babylon. Those who rise to leadership positions are people who can accurately analyze contemporary issues and those who cannot lag. Our generation needs leaders who can understand the times and know what to do. BRINGING IT TOGETHER THE SCRIPTURES HAVE ANSWERS TO EVERY CULTURE AND AGE. But we need to understand the current war against the truth to discern the best means of presenting it. This situation has always been the challenge of every dispensation. If we are to succeed and keep on prospering, we must understand the times we are in and know what to do.

EVERYONE RUSHES to take credit for something—we want to be known and praiseworthy. We do not want people to see us as self-promoting—and that's what we do. But the Christian life regarding getting credit is an anomaly. The Narrative IN LYSTRA, Paul and Barnabas met a man who was crippled from birth. As Paul preached, he saw faith in the man's eyes. And he said to him, "Stand up on your feet." At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. (Acts 14:10) But when the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" (Acts 14:11) They brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates wanting to offer sacrifice to them. WHEN GOD blesses men, people mistakenly put them on the same pedestal with God. They forget that God does not share His glory with anyone. (Isaiah 42:8) But when both men heard of the people wanting to worship them, they tore their clothes to relate their remorse, sorrow, and repentance. They rushed into the crowd shouting: "Friends, why are you doing this? We, too, are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them." (Acts 14:15-17) They told them that they were humans meaning that they had struggles within, depression and despair. Paul and Barnabas were not going to have any of these. They were not going to take credit for what God had done. They were mere men who had chosen to please God. They knew that they were God's emissaries, and they pointed the people to Him. Whatever you achieve or you're blessed with, always remember that you were given. (1 Corinthians 4:7) WHEN THE PEOPLE said that the gods had come to them, they – the apostles knew that the power to heal lies in Jesus Christ. The fact that they performed the miracle had nothing to do with them. They resolutely refused to take any credit. And Paul shared the story of Jesus with them. He was interested in identifying the miracle worker. His emphasis wasn't on his faith but faith in the name of Jesus. WHEN THEY ASKED Peter and John why they preached in the name of Jesus, Peter replied that the stone they had rejected had become the chief cornerstone. (Acts 4:11) He spoke about their attitude and God's attitude to His Son. You judged him wrongly; you preferred a murderer to him and killed him. But the Father exonerated him by raising him from the dead. They despised the author of life and acted out of ignorance. But God glorified Him. When you are confident about something, you have an unwavering sense of belief in what you do. Faith is confidence in Christ. EVERY SERMON must be severe enough for people not to have a choice to refuse it. Every sermon must give hope. He presented Jesus as a choice between life and death. He ended everything with Jesus. It isn't about us but Him. And if it isn't about Jesus, it's not the Christian message. There was nothing made that he didn't make. Jacob understood this; he urged his children to serve the Lord and choose His ways. He gave them hope as he testified of his life. BRINGING IT TOGETHER EVERY BELIEVER has a place of service. The call to Christ is the call to discipleship. We do not come to church to get fed and go out there and do nothing. This week remember that thirst was made for water and inquiry for the truth - C. S. Lewis.

WHILE OUR LIVES are variable; we measure them in moments—we measure them in pits, peaks and transitions. They shape us. When they are meaningful, they stand out in our memories, and we call them defining moments. The Narrative GROWING UP in a large family has its drawbacks. Joseph's brothers hated him because of their father's love, and they spoke harshly to him. Then, Joseph had a dream of his brothers bowing down to him. He told them, and they hated him the more. "Do you intend to reign over us? Will, you actually rule us?" they asked. (Genesis 37:8) Rather than invest at the moment, they turned a meaningful moment into a forgettable one. Joseph's brothers made his experience difficult, but he had an insight—Joseph had a gift to influence his future. When he had another dream, he told his brothers and Jacob, his father. Jacob rebuked him, and the brothers were jealous of him. However, Jacob kept the matter in his mind. (Genesis 37:10) The Pit ONE DAY, Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers. When he got to Shechem, he found out that they had gone to Dothan. When they saw Joseph, they planned to kill him. "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then, we'll see what comes of his dreams." (Genesis 37:20) But Reuben (one of his brothers) pleaded with them not to do so. They stripped Joseph of his clothes and threw him into a dry pit. And as they sat down to eat, they saw a caravan of Midianites. They sold him to the merchants. In Egypt, the merchants sold Joseph to Potiphar. And when Potiphar saw that God was with him, he put Joseph in charge of everything he had. But Potiphar's wife lusted after Joseph. She made advances towards him, and he refused. Joseph will not sin against God. He invested in the moment by obeying God's word. Then, she accused Joseph of trying to sleep with her, and he was thrown in prison. For him, the time in the pit was a negative defining moment. The Transition IN PRISON, Joseph found favour. The chief warder put him in charge of other inmates. When the cupbearer and the baker offended the king, they were put in the same prison. One day, both had a dream. When Joseph saw them the following morning, they looked dejected. Joseph asked them what their problems were. And when they told him, he said that interpretations belong to God. They told him their dreams, and he gave them the interpretations. Joseph seized the moment. In three days—the butler was restored to his position, and the baker was beheaded. He understood that his imprisonment was a pit stop to the next move. So, he pleaded with the butler to remember him. (Genesis 40:14) He needed someone to flip his pit into a peak, but the butler forgot him. Do you feel forgotten? God will cause your destiny helpers to remember you. Think in moments —go the extra mile The Peak AFTER TWO YEARS had passed, Pharaoh had a dream. When he slept again, he had a second dream. But no one knew the interpretations. Then, the cupbearer remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh what had happened to him in prison. The king sent for Joseph. They changed his clothes and shaved his beard. When Joseph appeared before Pharaoh, he told the king that all interpretations belong to God. Pharaoh told him the dreams, and he gave him the interpretations. And the king said, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you." (Genesis 37:39) This moment of elevation was a defining one. God took him from the pit to the palace. Pharaoh flipped Joseph's pit into a peak. He made him the second-in-command. When his brothers came to Egypt, Joseph had the opportunity to share his elevation. He remembered the flagship moments—the pits, the peaks and the transitions. And he said, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20) BRINGING IT TOGETHER JOSEPH LIVED IN MOMENTS. He saw that whatever he did was part of a larger story. Despite his situation, he never missed an opportunity to boost people's morale by creating moments to change their lives. Many situations around us are ripe for investment. To do something, we must begin to think in moments.

WHAT AM I going to do? This is a question we all ask in moments of life. David was worried when he cried with his men. But he knew that he had to do something fast when they spoke of stoning him. (1 Samuel 30:1-6) Decision-making seemed easy for Jacob when he was single—but on his way home, he feared for his life and the lives of his family. He felt that Esau was going to revenge. (Genesis 32:7) The prodigal son understood that he had to do something after losing everything, and no one gave to him. (Luke 15:11-32) To live well; to live to the uttermost—we must ask ourselves this same question: What am I going to do? The Narrative IN THE DAYS of Jesus, people speculated about when the Kingdom of God will fully appear. And Jesus told them a parable. A ruler planned a trip to a distant land to take over that country's throne and then return home. But before his departure, he called his ten servants and gave them each three months' wages. "Use this money to buy and sell until I return." (Luke 19:11-27) WHAT HAVE YOU been given? The gifts are endless. They include life, wealth, and time but what do you plan to do with them? We are told to walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time for the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16) And how do you do this? God wants you to put your salvation in operation mode—that's putting it to work. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14) THE FIRST SERVANT allowed the money to do the work. The Gospel of Christ is like money. When you put it to work, it will turn into profit. You’ll have a return on investment. God will return and ask us what we did with what he gave to us. THE SECOND SERVANT also took the command seriously and put the money to work. And both servants were able to live without regrets. They had a good outcome because they redeemed the time. Their master's mission and vision were their priority. They found God's saving grace. THE THIRD SERVANT'S case was different. He wrapped the money in a napkin and hid it away. He accused his master of seeking profit without investment and wanting a harvest without planting a seed. The master condemned his behaviour and told them to take the money and give it to the one who made ten times more. For every choice, there's a consequence. The insurrectionists at the US Capitol thought that justice would not show up at their doorstep, but it did. Many of them are now seeing what consequences look like. BRINGING IT TOGETHER THE WORK of faith is anything you do that brings glory to His name. Both servants brought glory to Him because they had their master's interest at heart. For anything you do, you are building a life—you are making a dream. Your spot may be small but make it the centre of your universe. Others may not know your value but make sure that you know your worth.

DO YOU feel down about your finances, marriage, and job where you don't make enough? Do you feel hopeless and helpless—and want to walk away? There's no doubt that the down feeling is a bad one. However, you're not alone. The bible is full of wanderers—many of who wondered where God was in their situation. Jacob was one of them. INSTEAD OF WAITING on God, he took matters into his hands. He stole Esau's birthright and travelled in reverse. Worse than running from his brother was the feeling of loneliness and the sensing of an uncertain future. He stopped to sleep one night and saw a stairway sitting on earth and reaching the heavens. The angels of the Lord were ascending and descending on it—above it stood the Lord. And God said, "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:14-15) Jacob experienced reality as God knows it. And when he rose, he called the place Bethel, the house of God, the gate of heaven. My prayer for you is that you will have a divine encounter with God so that you will know Him more. "In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?" ― John R. W. Stott. WE CAN WORSHIP Him because he knows what it is to suffer. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) He knows your pain. When you pass through the waters, he will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; (Isaiah 43:2) THINGS MAY BE difficult to comprehend. Your heart may fail but let God be the strength of your heart and portion forever. (Psalm 73:26) Will your response be rebellion or cooperation? When God appeared and spoke those comforting words, he led Jacob to a place of intimacy. The words drove him to worship, and worship is an abbreviation of worth-ship―John R. W. Stott. These same words apply to you. Let them drive you to be a better worshipper. GOD DOESN'T INTEND that we live in the valley because it's a difficult place. However, we must pass through it. (Psalm 23:4) The journey becomes painful until nothing matters, and it wrenches from us everything that challenges his pre-eminence in our lives. When patience has had its perfect work, you'll be perfect and entire wanting nothing. (James 1:4-8) God never allows a valley without a purpose in mind. And while this is painful to us, it is glorious to Him. What matters is your response. Will it be rebellion or cooperation? God will slow you down when you sulk or blame someone for your situation. BRINGING IT TOGETHER JACOB HAD DONE wrong. But after his encounter, he came to terms with God. You cannot change your past, but you can edit your future. My prayer for you is that the Word of God will confront you and disturb your security. It will undermine your complacency and overthrow your patterns of thoughts and behaviour―you'll be more like Him.

DAYLA AND MARTY couldn’t have been more in a wrong place when they found themselves in the suburb of Montreal. They had driven hundreds of kilometres to visit friends in New York State and were returning to Toronto. Early that morning, Dayla entered their trip into the Global Positioning System (GPS) while Marty moved things into the car. They chatted as they drove through the cities and unlived-in places. In the late afternoon, they were concerned that the journey seemed longer than usual. The GPS had taken them through a longer route, so they stopped to grab a bite. The couple struggled to communicate in the local language, but Marty came up with the magic words, and Dayla gave him a pass mark. They bought some food and left for the car. Dayla and Marty were happy to be on the last leg of their journey. Over time, language difference has been a source of conflict and sometimes, an accent is a part of it. This assertion is true of a story in the Bible. The Narrative IN THE TIME OF THE JUDGES, the people of Ephraim accused the Gileadites of going to fight the Ammorites without them. However, Jephthah was mystified because he had called them, and they didn’t respond. This assertion upset the people of Gilead. They crossed over and fought the Ephraimites and took the fords of Jordan from them. Accents at Play THE PEOPLE OF GILEAD put men in place to prevent the Ephraimites from sneaking back into the land that they took from them. They captured the shallow crossings of the Jordan River leading back to Ephraim. And whenever a fugitive from Ephraim said, “Let me cross,” the men of Gilead would ask, “Are you from Ephraim?” If he answered, “No,” they would tell him, “Say the word shibboleth.” If the fugitive would say sibboleth, because he couldn’t pronounce the word correctly, they would grab him and kill him at the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. At that time 42,000 men from Ephraim died. (Judges 12:5-6) The tribes lived on different sides of River Jordan. They were separated for so long. There were differences in their accents and languages. The Gileadites used these differences to fish out those who were Ephraimites. Accents became a source of bias. Honestly speaking, we are all holstered in stereotypes. Consequence not far-fetched THE WORD “Shibboleth” was used to differentiate faithful followers from those who were not. Those who pronounced the word correctly lived, while others who couldn’t, lost their lives. Some got a pass mark while others failed. Our Lives EVEN AS THE PEOPLE had to pronounce a word to save their lives, we all have our Shibboleth –our pronouncements of faith. These are scriptures that we hold on to and build our confidence upon. Our words THERE IS MORE to who we are than our words. Jesus demonstrated this; he wouldn’t entrust himself unto men’s words. Jesus, however, was wary of these believers. He understood people and didn’t need anyone to tell him about human nature. He knew what people were really like. (John 2:24-25) The truth is who God says we are, and it’s demonstrated in our shibboleth, our confession of faith. This is saying what God says about us. This was demonstrated in Martha's encounter with Jesus Christ. The Revelation LAZARUS HAD BEEN DEAD for four days. And when Martha heard that Jesus was in town, she went to Him. Martha said, “Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” (John 11:21-22) She saw Jesus as the intermediary who could get the Father to do his bidding, but that wasn’t sufficient. Humans have a shallow understanding of God and relate to Him that way. Nevertheless, you cannot remain in your limited bandwidth of wisdom and expect God's miracle. You cannot remain in your limited bandwidth of wisdom and expect God's miracle Martha believed that Lazarus would rise again. (John 11:24) But Jesus took her into a more in-depth understanding. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) Martha answered in the affirmative. BRINGING IT TOGETHER IN THIS NARRATIVE, Jesus assisted Martha to get to her shibboleth, and He raised Lazarus to life. I may not know it, but He knows it. I may not have it, but Jesus has it. I will trust Him because He tells the truth. After all, He is the TRUTH. (John 14:6) Have a great week.

HOW DO YOU feel when someone you know and admire does something you cannot imagine? Many will want to cancel them out. HUDSON TAYLOR spoke out against missionaries who did not have what they needed for their work. He did not realize that money wasn't everything. WHEN JEZEBEL came after Elijah, he hid in the cave and sulked. (I Kings 19:9-18) One will think a man of God wouldn't behave that way—if he lived in our day, many of us would have cancelled him. WHEN GOD called Jonah, he refused to go to Nineveh. He went as far west to a sprawling urban city called Tarshish. And God sent a storm to the sea. When he was thrown into the water, God commanded a whale to swallow him and take him to Nineveh. Jonah thought that the people of Nineveh did not deserve grace—after all, they were Israel's enemies. He felt that they had abandoned all hope of redemption, but he was wrong. Do not think that what you feel about someone is true? Like Jonah, you may be wrong. He cried to God in the belly of the whale, saying, "When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love." (Jonah 2:7-8) God spared his life and gave him a second chance. PETER STRUGGLED with going to the home of a gentile until God spoke to him from heaven. (Acts 10) Moses was a fugitive and a murderer, yet God called him to go to Egypt and deliver his people. (Exodus 3) Paul was a terror to believers when Jesus called him to become an apostle. (Acts 9:1-19) These were flawed men with perfect messages. This acknowledgement is not to condone anyone's misdeed but to remove our erroneous beliefs, especially in these tough times when many of our church leaders have been unimpressive. IN THE JEWISH CULTURE, unrighteous actions had severe consequences for some and almost no consequences for others—and even when the law was equal, the execution was not. In his days, Jesus sat near the well and discussed a woman's sin without condemning her. (John 4:7-26) And when some people brought a woman caught in adultery to him, he crouched between the sinner and the stones until her accusers left—thus preventing her cancellation. (John 8:4-11) How do we live in a cancel culture? WE MUST tell the truth to the people in power. When Jesus saw people buying and selling in the temple, he upended their tables and threw them out. 'My house shall be called of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of robbers.' (Matthew 21:13) If people haven't lived up to your expectations, you must offer them forgiveness for whatever they have done. We must be careful not to cut people prematurely out of our lives because of the cancel culture. And when people's opinions differ from yours, rather than unfriend them, pray for them. The standard is high, but that's what Jesus enjoined us to do. BRINGING IT TOGETHER THE MOB couldn't find the balance between compassion and accountability. But Jesus offered the woman caught in adultery understanding when the people didn't. This week do these three things: Have the humility to accept differences of opinion. Approach disagreements with reason and caution. Allow the possibility of redemption.

WORDS failed him—but he was never the same. His mom dropped him at the church parking lot every Thursday. On Palm Sunday, the church bulletin was to feature the photo of kids lined up on the steps in front of the church. That Thursday afternoon, William met the woman who commanded the class of children. "Where's your tie?" she asked. And William froze. We told you to wear a tie. There's a photographer, a professional one. And Dr. Hubert needs to have his photograph taken with the class. "Every boy has a tie, even Stanley Stan," she said. Words failed him as he fled out the door to the parking lot. He would wait at the preacher's parking space, confess his sins and humbly bow out of the picture and leave the church. As the preacher pulled into the parking space in his Plymouth, he ran up to him. Dr. Hubert, you do not know me, I am William Willimon. I did not know we were supposed to wear a tie. I forgot; maybe my mum didn't tell me. I do not want to be in the picture, anyway. "Tie? Why on earth should you wear a tie?" I am wearing one because I am a pastor—and I’m forced to wear it. I'm unaware that you've had theological training. Are you not preparing yourself for membership in the Methodist Church? "Yes, sir," William replied. Well, I know much about these matters than anyone present, and I know that there are no requirements here for ties to be worn to join the church. There's no record of our Lord having worn a tie, and I know scripture. The point of this ceremony is to put you in the picture. He led the startled boy back to the classroom, where the other boys were waiting. "What a beautiful group," exclaimed Dr. Hubert. I have one request before we go out and take our place on the church steps. Boys, please no ties on a Thursday—only I can wear a tie in church on a weekday such are the rules. You may wear them on Sundays. Please remove your ties, and let's take our picture. (Laugh Again) The Narrative TWO DAYS before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Jewish leaders met secretly to discuss how they might arrest Jesus and kill Him. While he ate dinner in Bethany at Simon the leper's house, a woman came into the house carrying an alabaster box filled with a sweet-smelling ointment made from spikenard. (Luke 7:36-40) THE WOMAN wanted to express her regrets, but her words failed her. She knew that she didn't qualify but sought for forgiveness. She knelt before Jesus and wept. Her tears fell on his feet—she wiped them with her hair and poured perfume on them. THE HOST wondered if Jesus knew that she was a prostitute—and Jesus told him a story. Two men owed a lender a lot of money. One owed a hundred week's wages and the other ten week's wages. And when both men defaulted on their loans, the lender forgave them. Which man will love the lender most? I guess it was the one that was forgiven the most. "Good answer," Jesus replied. (Luke 7:43) I came into your house, and you gave me no water to wash my feet. And you did not customarily give me the kiss of welcome. But she hasn't stopped kissing my feet since I got here. JESUS forgave her when she barely knew where to turn. Like Jesus brought her back into the picture, he wants to do the same for you. All you need to do is confess your sins to Him and ask Him to come into your heart. BRINGING IT TOGETHER WE OFTEN forget that we were once outside—strangers to the Kingdom of God looking in. And when we became joint-heirs with Him, He brought us back into the picture. But we must always remember that we are products of grace—and live as such. God doesn't grade our behaviour on a curve, but our only hope is found in His grace – Chuck R. Swindol.

SOMETIMES, you compare your life to someone else's, and you are disappointed. You look at the past year and feel discouraged. You must understand that disappointment is inevitable, and discouragement is a choice. People choose to give up, they decide to turn their backs, but you can choose to be different. You can choose to look away from your past failures and move forward. When Potiphar's wife offered Joseph a short cut, he took the long road—the highway of holiness. (Genesis 39:6-10; Isaiah 35:8) He looked away from his disappointments and chose the difficult path. He rose to build. The Narrative NEHEMIAH was the personal cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. He remained in Persia when many exiles went home. When Hanani returned from Judah, Nehemiah asked him about the state of Jerusalem and the Jews who had survived the captivity. Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire. (Nehemiah 1:1-3) Discouragement should be short-lived NEHEMIAH was disappointed and discouraged but not defeated. He mourned the situation and spent time before God to find out how to proceed—he prayed that God would grant him favour before the king. And when he appeared in the palace, the king asked why his face looked so sad? May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire? (Nehemiah 2:3) "What is it you want?" asked the king. I will like to return and rebuild. The hand of the Lord was upon him, and the king granted him all his requests. When you put the Kingdom of God first, he will add every other thing to you. (Matthew 6:33) If there's something you must do in this new year, it's to put him first—and as you do, God will put you first. Expect Criticism EVERY WALK OF FAITH will have opposition. And everything going well deserves prayers. When Sanballat and Tobiah heard all, they were upset that someone had returned to promote the Israelites' welfare. (Nehemiah 2:1-10) Investigate and Initiate THREE DAYS after his return, he chose a few men. And with them, he inspected the wall. But he told no one what God had put in his heart. The gates were burned with fire. The people were exposed to the enemy. The people of God had fallen into a deep rut of discouragement. They needed someone to give them a lift, and Nehemiah handed them one. He said to them, "Let's rise and build." (Nehemiah 2:18) Do you feel like a failure? Are you discouraged? Do not quit. God does not have mood swings; neither does he change. He will turn your life into a success story, but you must be willing to work with Him. Share your testimony NEHEMIAH knew the grace of God. He shared his testimony and offered them something to believe in. (Nehemiah 2:18) Nothing brings a man alive like the words of encouragement spoken to him who has lost hope. And this is what God wants you to do wherever you go. BRINGING IT TOGETHER NEHEMIAH knew how to handle disappointments. He was surrounded by hopelessness, but he wasn't deterred by it. If you know who you are as a believer, you'll learn how to suffer disappointments and discouragements and ensure that they are momentary. It's time to rise and build. Happy New Year!